Dual optic accommodating iol with low refractive index gap material

Abstract

An accommodative intraocular lens (IOL) system is disclosed for insertion into an eye to provide accommodative vision, the system including a first lens having an first optic, a second lens having a second optic, a transparent, low refractive index medium disposed between the first and second optics; and at least one haptic connected to the first and second lenses and configured to facilitate movement of one lens relative to the other lens, such that when the lens system is positioned in an eye, ciliary muscle movements can alter the distance between the first and second lenses and vary the overall lens power of the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intraocular lens system for insertion into an eye to provide accommodative vision, the system comprising:
 a first lens having a first optic;   a second lens having a second optic;   a transparent, low refractive index medium disposed between the first and second optics; and   at least one haptic connected to the first and second lenses and configured to facilitate movement of one optic relative to the other optic, such that when the lens system is positioned in an eye, ciliary muscle movements can alter the distance between the first and second optics and vary the overall lens power of the system.   
     
     
         2 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium has an index of refraction less than 1.34 
     
     
         3 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium has an index of refraction less than 1.1 
     
     
         4 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium comprises a gas. 
     
     
         5 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium comprises air. 
     
     
         6 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium comprises argon. 
     
     
         7 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent medium comprises at least 90 percent argon. 
     
     
         8 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the first lens is an anterior positive lens. 
     
     
         9 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the second lens is a posterior negative lens. 
     
     
         10 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the haptic further comprises a lever joined to at least one of the optics by a hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The lens system of  claim 1  wherein the haptic comprises a flexible V-shaped lever. 
     
     
         12 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the haptic further comprises a force transmitting ring. 
     
     
         13 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the haptic surrounds the transparent, low index medium and provides a sealing enclosure for the medium. 
     
     
         14 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent, low index medium is contained by a sealing enclosure separate from the haptic. 
     
     
         15 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent, low index medium is contained by a sealing enclosure separate from at least one of the optics. 
     
     
         16 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent, low index medium is contained by a sealing enclosure separate from both the first optic and the second optic. 
     
     
         17 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent, low index medium is contained by a sealing enclosure joined to at least one of the optics. 
     
     
         18 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent, low index medium is contained in two separate sealing enclosures, each joined to one or the other of the optics. 
     
     
         19 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein a range of haptic displacement provides an accommodation of at least about 3 diopters in an eye. 
     
     
         20 . The lens system of  claim 1 , wherein a range of haptic displacement provides an accommodation of at least about 4 diopters in an eye. 
     
     
         21 . A method of restoring accommodation in an eye, the method comprising
 providing an intraocular lens system having a first lens having an first optic, a second lens having a second optic; a transparent, low refractive index medium disposed between the first and second optics, and at least one haptic connected to the first and second lenses and configured to facilitate movement of one lens relative to the other lens; and   positioning the lens system in an eye in a manner whereby changes in a ciliary muscle will be transmitted to the system such that ciliary muscle movements alter the distance between the first and second lenses and vary the overall lens power of the system.   
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing an accommodative intraocular lens system, the method comprising
 providing a first lens having an first optic,   providing a second lens having a second optic;   disposing a transparent, low refractive index medium between the first and second optics, and   joining the first and second lenses together with a flexible haptic configured to facilitate movement of one lens relative to the other lens;   whereby when the lens system is positioned in an eye, changes in a ciliary muscle will be transmitted to the system such that ciliary muscle movements alter the distance between the first and second lenses and vary the overall lens power of the system.